Serological and molecular investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle, using felids as definitive hosts and various warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. This study aimed to assess the sero-molecular prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in domestic cats in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. Blood and fecal samples from 184 cats were collected and analyzed using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the REP-529 gene. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was determined as 9.78% (18/184), while molecular analysis detected a slightly lower prevalence of 8.15% (15/184) among the sampled cats. Several host- and management-related factors were significantly associated with T. gondii infection in cats. ELISA positivity was significantly higher in non-dewormed cats, those with outdoor access, and those defecating outdoors, while PCR positivity was significantly associated with outdoor access and outdoor defecation. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that age, deworming status, and outdoor access were significant risk factors based on ELISA. In contrast, outdoor access alone was identified as a risk factor by PCR detection. The results indicate that T. gondii infection is common among domestic cats in Bangladesh, posing a potential risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. These findings highlight the importance of raising cat owners' awareness, enhancing public health education, and promoting preventive veterinary care to reduce the transmission of T. gondii between cats and humans.